To a writer, the nirvana experience is better than sex… and I’m not joking.
Most writers are looking for a way to pump out their first novel, as quickly as possible. A fast first draft would be a gift, afterwards you can spend a full six months to a year revising it, if you like. Maybe, you already have a novel, shoved in your desk drawer, you’ve spent the past seven years editing or ignoring? Don’t feel too bad; I have approximately fourteen of them pressed into a few binders, nestled nicely on the bottom shelf of my office bookshelf.
Yes, you read that correctly, I said fourteen. Or is it fifteen?
You see, now I’ve lost count. Anyway, with each novel that I have attempted to write, I get a little bit better at figuring out the best way of approaching the creation of a novel. Practice, practice, practice is how you win the big publishing contract, or so I am told. In my opinion, trying to write the first draft of your novel all at one time is definitely the way to go. A deadline. That’s the true secret. You sit down in your chair and you pound the keyboard until time is up.
How do you make that happen?
You sign-up for the Muskoka Novel Marathon, a 3-Day novel writing event, that takes place over a 72-hour period. Lucky for you, it’s also a writing marathon that will feed you, while you write this awesome coffee-fueled, plot-weaving book of yours.
Imagine, never having to get up in the middle of a chapter to go grocery shopping, cook or feed the kids, or drive the kids to soccer, baseball, lacrosse, gymnastics or swimming? You don’t have to stop writing to answer the phone, help your spouse hold drywall on the ceiling while he casually drills the screws into the gypsum board, open the door to talk to the Dog-Tag Salesperson, or talk to someone selling Girl Guide Cookies or chocolate covered almonds. Oh, wait a second, that last one, I don’t mind those people dropping by with chocolate. Grin. They are my favourite people, besides other writers.
Basically, I’m telling you, for 72-hours, you will have no commitment, other than to write your first draft of your novel. I know, it sounds amazing already, doesn’t it?
But, that’s not the best part… besides not being interrupted by your family while you write, and being fed for 72-hours straight (without having to make anything yourself), AND having coffee poured constantly into your cup night and day, there are a few other perks to signing up for the Muskoka Novel Marathon.
Here are 3 Reasons to Write a Novel in 72-hours:
- In 72-hours you will have between 20,000 to 65,000 NEW words on your next novel, depending on the speed of your fingers and the inter-workings of your brain cells. Think about it this way: if you stayed home that same weekend, instead of attending the writing marathon, you would have around 500 to 3,000 words at best, between working on your multi-tasking chore list? That alone, is a great reason.
- Meeting, networking and brainstorming with 39 other writers. People who love to
write and will share their passion of Literacy with you. Bonding with them is easy, and you will quickly become part of their writing family. To ease your mind, all 39 writers are probably as nervous as you are, feeling severe pangs of doubt. Once you begin to write, those feelings will melt away and completely disappear. - In the Buddhist tradition, Nirvana is described as the extinguishing of the fires that cause suffering. When the fire is extinguished, the suffering ends, providing complete peace. How does this relate to your Literary writing? When writer’s block disappears, and your fear and doubts come to an end, you will be riding on adrenaline and the excitement and desire to create something unique will give you a sense of euphoria. Your heart and mind will experience intense feelings of happiness, excitement and joy. You may even experience the giggles during your elation. I guarantee you won’t even recognize your own writing… it will be amazing in places… and quite honestly, garbage in other places, but overall, it will surprise you. This is what I mean by experiencing Literary Nirvana. You can’t help but smile, and feel like you accomplished something wonderful, when you sense the electric current running throughout your body, after completing 72-hours of writing your story.
BONUS REASON: I’ll be there to keep you company… and hold your hand, if required.
Where is this splendid writing marathon?
The 72-hour Muskoka Novel Marathon takes place in Huntsville, Ontario, from 8:00pm on Friday, July 10th to 8:00pm on Monday, July 13th.
When can you sign up?
Registration starts on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 7:00pm EDT. If you really want to go to this writing event, I suggest, you be at your computer at 7:00pm SHARP, waiting to press the REGISTER NOW button. This 3-Day Muskoka Novel Marathon is a popular event and the 40 allocated writer spots will get snapped up quite fast. If you have any other questions or concerns, please go to: www.muskokanovelmarathon.com.
The ultimate role of this writing event is… it’s a fundraiser that supports Literacy in the Huntsville and surrounding areas through Literacy Programs run by YMCA Simcoe-Muskoka. You are not only writing your next novel, but you are helping other people who struggle with reading, writing and mathematical skills in their daily life. It’s a win-win situation.
I encourage you to experience your own Literary Nirvana. Go ahead and make a difference in your life… and someone else’s too.
